Vision: The future can be a scary path to travel down,
so let’s take it one STEP at a time together…

Sustainability

We want to create a lifestyle for our participants to be able to work and provide for themselves. This goal looks different for each individual, but Stepping Stone values independence. To that end, we stress life skills such as cooking, budgeting, shopping, and housekeeping. Our goal is for each participant to live as autonomously as possible, and we strive to provide the necessary supports needed to help make this a reality!

Teamwork

Life is all about relationships and community. We value this and want to support our participants by teaching how to make and maintain lifelong friendships. Our many celebrations and holiday events, exciting outings and monthly first-Friday-night events are just some of the many opportunities for making friends and getting out into the real world!

Exercise

We value physical fitness and provide work-out classes and health talks to encourage more healthy lifestyles. Activities include weights, Zumba, yoga, cardio workouts and recreational sports in our large gymnasium.

Purpose

We provide work opportunities and job simulations to empower our participants as they work toward more independent lives. Our participants are all members of the Stepping Stone Cooperative where they learn to run their own businesses!

About Us

The “First Steps” of Stepping Stone

Stepping Stone Support Center was created by Bryn Galisewski, Barb Ziegler and a group of supporters in November of 2013. Bryn attended Chatfield Senior High School in Littleton, CO where she frequently volunteered to help her fellow students with special needs. She graduated from Colorado State University in Spring 2013 to find herself back with her high school peers at a new stage in life.

Barb is a parent of an adult with a developmental disability and like other families, she was searching for a productive program with close proximity. With Bryn’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies and interest in Occupational Therapy, Barb’s M.A. in Communications and Business background, and the support from family, friends and the community, they explored ways to create a world where these participants could find purpose and community.

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Quotes from our participants...

“Stepping Stone has changed my life in an extreme way. I became more independent and I’m more of an adult around myself and other people. It’s like a second home.”

- Lexi

“I have met so many great people at Stepping Stone and I enjoy being around people that make me feel at peace.”

- Jimmy

“I learned how to give a helping hand.”

- Justin

“Working hard. I love this program. I am happy when I come here.”

- Steph H.

“The staff members are great mentors. Always helping when people are in need. Just like family.”

- Angel

“It’s good! I love to work for Hannah!”

- Kathrine

“It’s like a second home here now, there is a whole lot of people here. I love all the people here. Nice people.”

- Fred

“Everyone is like a brother and sister to me. I love everyone here. Since day one we have been so supportive of each other. Stepping Stone is my family now.”

- Matt

“It’s a really fun place to go. There are always happy people here. There are great activities. It’s a fun great place to be.”

- Hally

“Stepping helped turn my life around. I used to get all mad for all these years and Stepping Stone helped me become a better person than the person I was for the last 26 years. Changed my life.”

- Brandon

“The Stepping Stone staff is such an inspiration to me. I’m so thankful to have them in my life.”

- Steffani

Services

Stepping Stone is primarily a prevocational training center. We have job skill training activities to equip our participants to work in an environment attainable for long-term employment. With our Stepping Stone Co-op and development in supported employment, we want to set our participants up for best case scenario for a sustainable lifestyle. We also offer other services that can help set our participants up for success.

Developmental Pathways

Developmental Pathways -
Developmental Pathways serves Arapahoe and Douglas Counties and the city of Aurora. As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, they serve thousands of people with developmental disabilities and their families in a variety of settings and services, depending on need.

Rocky Mountain Human Services

Rocky Mountain Human Services -
Rocky Mountain Human Services is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that serves more than 10,000 individuals, including almost 3,000 professionals and more than 7,500 Colorado and Wyoming residents through seven distinct programs. Our goal is to serve vulnerable populations throughout the Rocky Mountain West.

Stepping Stone Weekly Schedule

Services through SLS and COMP:

Prevocational

We promote self-employment with the ultimate goal of paid jobs either out in the community, or through the Stepping Stone Co-op. The participants will have opportunities to engage in vocational training alongside their peers to build their resume and expand their abilities. Stepping Stone believes that with responsibility and encouragement, each participant can grow and display their unique skills. We are committed to help each participant gain the skills they need to reach their maximum potential in the working world.

Specialized Habilitation

We have blocks of time dedicated toward physical fitness throughout the week. Whether it’s lifting weights, zumba, yoga, or cardio, Stepping Stone values a healthy lifestyle and encourages our participants to participant in these activities.

Supported Community Connection

We encourage the participants to access the community so that they can grow in social skills, get involved in activities, and have fun hanging out with friends. We have field trips scheduled once a month to a variety of places in the community.

Personal Care

Assistance with daily living tasks such as personal hygiene, grocery shopping, budgeting, healthy eating, bathing, toileting, and appropriate clothing. Stepping Stone encourages staff to allow participants to express themselves while mentoring them on what is generally appropriate.

Residential

tepping Stone Support Center offers choice-driven residential supports with a variety of service models including Host Homes, Companionship, Independent Living, or Family Caregiver. We can also accommodate privately paid services for individuals not receiving waiver funding. SEE MORE INFO

Respite

Stepping Stone understands the need to provide a caregiver a break and ensures that each participant will be kept safe during that time. We provide hourly as well as overnight respite.

Homemaker

Assistance with basic tasks around the house such as cleanliness, laundry, meal preparation, household safety with the goal of the greatest possible autonomy at home for each participant.

Mentorship

Assists participants with realistic thinking, appropriate interactions with others, self-advocacy, social and relationship difficulties, safety, problem-solving, advising and modeling behaviors. Stepping Stone believes that each participant is an adult and can and should make decisions for themselves. Stepping Stone's staff will model realistic methods and goals in that process.

Supported Employment

Helps participants find and keep jobs out in the community. Stepping Stone will work with a business in the community and supply them with support so a participant can find a sustainable job at their company.

Transportation

Stepping Stone provides transportation to and from program Monday through Friday within a specified distance. For private pay clients, we charge .50 to the mile for transportation. Participants who live further away may take RTD to a nearer designated pick-up spot or take Access-a-ride. ** We are in the process of researching an affordable and efficient way to provide transportation to and from community employment for our participants. Please feel free to ask where we are in this process.**

Respite

Stepping Stone understands the need to provide a caregiver a break and ensures that each participant will be kept safe during that time. We provide hourly as well as overnight respite.

Homemaker

Assistance with basic tasks around the house such as cleanliness, laundry, meal preparation, household safety with the goal of the greatest possible autonomy at home for each participant.

Mentorship

Assists participants with realistic thinking, appropriate interactions with others, self-advocacy, social and relationship difficulties, safety, problem-solving, advising and modeling behaviors. Stepping Stone believes that each participant is an adult and can and should make decisions for themselves. Stepping Stone's staff will model realistic methods and goals in that process.

Supported Employment

Helps participants find and keep jobs out in the community. Stepping Stone will work with a business in the community and supply them with support so a participant can find a sustainable job at their company.

Transportation

Stepping Stone provides transportation to and from program Monday through Friday within a specified distance. For private pay clients, we charge .50 to the mile for transportation. Participants who live further away may take RTD to a nearer designated pick-up spot or take Access-a-ride. ** We are in the process of researching an affordable and efficient way to provide transportation to and from community employment for our participants. Please feel free to ask where we are in this process.**

Residential
Services

Stepping Stone recognizes the need for independence not only in a work setting, but also in a living environment. Our thorough intake process recognizes that finding the best living situation for each individual takes time. We want every placement we do to be centered around the individual so they can live a fulfilling life and capitalize on their strengths. We recognize that support doesn’t only need to be given to the individuals we serve, but also to our care providers. We aim to create a loving and supportive environment for our providers so they can provide the best support to our individuals.

Types of Models we serve:

Host Home

A host home is designed to provide live-in support in a warm, stable family environment for individuals requiring more intensive support needs. Individuals in this service setting typically require 24-hour support. This service is funded through the Comprehensive Service Waiver.

Companionship Model

The companionship model is designed to provide live-in support in a caring, stable environment with more of a housemate feel. Individuals in this service setting have 24-hour direct access to staff. However, this setting offers more freedom and independence when this is appropriate for the individual. This service is funded through the Comprehensive Service Waiver.

Independent Living Model

The independent living model offers support for individuals who have the ability and desire to live on their own, and is appropriate for individuals who do not require live-in supports. In this setting, people have access to the agency on a 24/7 basis for emergencies, but otherwise receive support on an hourly basis. This service is funded through the Comprehensive Service Waiver.

Family Caregiver Model

The family caregiver model is the newest service model to Colorado and offers individuals the opportunity to remain in the family home, or live in the home of a family member. In this setting, a family member may apply with the agency to provide all or some of the support services an individual requires. This service is funded through the Comprehensive Service Waiver.

Private Pay Services

In the private pay model, Stepping Stone contracts directly with the family and/or person requesting services. Residential services under this model are not waiver funded. This is the most unique and flexible model as it is driven by the wants and needs of the individual, but may look similar to the service options outlined above.

COMING SOON: Residential Facility

We are excited to introduce our new non profit, Stepping Stone Communities, designed to provide housing for adults with developmental disabilities who wish to live independently and do not have private or publicly funded resources. Our first goal is to build an apartment building with affordable studio apartments. This model allows for positive interaction and integration between participants with developmental disabilities and the wider community. Details for this project still in process. The emphasis of our facility will be upon independent living with opportunities for making social connections in a family-like atmosphere. Contact us if you have any resources to help us with this project! Also, be sure to check out Stepping Stone Communities!

Events

Monthly Friday Night Events

Stepping Stone Support Center puts on monthly social events for adults with developmental disabilities in the community. We invite volunteers to come to all of our events to pair up with a participant so they can have a buddy for the night.

The cost of the events goes to our sister non-profit Lexi & Carly & Friends. Our non-profit raises money to be a resource for Stepping Stone participants who may need financial assistance in attending the program.Check out this month's event and invite friends!

This Month's Event

What:

No Stepping Stone event in September! Happy Labor Day Weekend!

When:

Where:

9700 Old Coal Mine Ave. Littleton, CO 80123

Admission:

Event Details:

We will be taking September off due to Labor Day! Please check back for our October event!

Fundraising Events

Stepping Stone sponsors a 5K race every Spring to support our sister non-profit, Lexi & Carly & Friends. We want to encourage everyone to partake in a fun and healthy way to give back to the community of adults with developmental disabilities. We will have adult running strollers to push those individuals who cannot walk so they can still have the excitement of accomplishing running a 5k race!

We will also have buddies who will walk/run with a participant if they want to partake in the race! Please check this out and sign up to run/walk!

This years 5k will be on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at Clement Park beginning at 7:30a under Shelter 5. Please click on the link below to register and find out more details! Stepping Stone 5K

Get Involved

PARTICIPANTS:

If you are interested in our services as a participant, please contact us below and we will get back to you with more information about getting started at Stepping Stone.

Lexi & Carly & Friends

Co-op Store

A business owned and managed by our very own participants!

Stepping Stone Co-op is designed to empower our participants by teaching them the skills it takes to work hard, make decisions as a team, and see concrete benefits. The participants are all equal members of the Co-op, and all of our prevocational activities are run under auspices of the Co-op.

How it works?

The Co-op consists of 5 teams: Food Bank Team, Culinary Team, Accessory Team, Product Team and Coffee Shop Team. Each participant upon coming to Stepping Stone will go through a job application and interview to apply for what team they want to be on. Once they are on a team, they work with their team for a month and learn the ins and out of running their teams business.

At the end of each month, they can apply for a transfer to another team. Transfers are considered and approved based on certain criteria. There are regular Co-op meetings and the participants vote on any changes or implementations that each team proposes at the meetings. Although there are teams within the Co-op, all the teams are working together and any income each team makes goes back to the Co-op as a whole. We are proud to say all the decisions are made by the participants!

Teams

Food Bank Team

Food Bank Team
The food bank team operates the Columbine Hills Food Bank which is open to the public on Fridays. Throughout the week they are busy soliciting for donations, stocking and doing inventory, sorting food bank goods, marketing the food bank, and picking up Food Bank of the Rockies orders. They also work with Light of the World Catholic Church supporting their BAKPAK program. They sort out two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners, and two snacks and deliver them to schools in the area for children who are in need of food on weekends. During the summer they run a community garden and harvest vegetables that they give out to those in the community. While the Food Bank does not contribute to the Co-op profits, the entire Co-op members voted that they want to give back to their community!

Culinary Team

Culinary Team: A Taste of Love
The culinary team is designed to allow our participants to work on their cooking skills. They bake sweet treats based on seasonal ingredients, while understanding locally sourced ingredients. They also cook lunch and sell it to the Co-op one day a week to work on meal preparation. Throughout the week the culinary team is busy taking inventory, shopping for items, researching and developing new recipes, going over financials on how their items are selling, baking, and visiting bakeries to get new ideas for how to market their goods.

Accessory Team

Accessory Team: Loom of Love
The accessory team makes some amazing bracelets! Weaving helps the participants work on fine motor skills, dexterity, creativity, counting and sorting, teamwork, and patience. Throughout the week the accessory team has to take inventory and purchase new materials, be creative and make new templates for bracelets, find new outlets to sell our bracelets, and work as a team to produce the bracelet orders. They are working hard on a new accessories to add to their inventory! Stay tuned through the Co-op Store.

Product Team

Product Team: A Touch of Love
The product team works hard to make salt scrubs, lip balms, lotions, candles, and spoon mirrors. Each week, this team works extremely hard to make sure their products are high quality. They work on inventory, ordering new materials, marketing, research and development, task analysis, and creativity. They are constantly making sure they work together as a team to produce 5 amazing products that our customers love.

Coffee Shop Team

Coffee Shop Team: A Latte Love
The coffee shop team opens up their doors on Thursday mornings from 9:30am-11:30am and runs a functional coffee shop open to the community. They serve lattes, coffee, tea, baked good, chai lattes, etc. This team works hard throughout the week to prepare for their coffee shop by doing inventory, purchasing supplies, marketing their coffee shop through commercials on facebook (check us out), learning how to make their drinks, and researching how to become a better coffee shop. They also make coffee for the food bank community members and serve them in conjunction with the food bank.

Please check out our products
and support the Stepping Stone Co-op! You can also call 303-872-6882 Ext. 4 to get more information about the Stepping Stone Store!

Meet our Team

About Bryn

Bryn is a graduate from Chatfield Senior High School and Colorado State University. She majored in Human Development and Family Studies and specified in Occupational Therapy courses. Bryn loves to dance, hang out with friends, and play games of all sorts. She couldn’t stay away from the wonderful community in Littleton and came back to work with this amazing population in the heart of her hometown.

About Beth

Beth is a well-traveled Colorado native, a mother, a business woman and a free spirit. She is incredibly passionate about serving, loving and helping others. Beth has over 11 years of experience working with both children and adults with disabilities. She loves learning and teaching and has found that this field provides so many opportunities to do both.

About Barb

Every organization needs a paper pusher, and Barb's brings her 40-plus years' experience in small business administration to help keep Stepping Stone's records up to date and organized. As a parent of one of our participants, Barb has been excited to see Stepping Stone's evolution into a life-changing experience for so many wonderful adults. When she is not shuffling papers, Barb's eight grown children and eleven grandchildren keep her happily occupied.

About Katie

Katie graduated from University of Colorado with a degree in business and marketing. She is recently married and loves to travel and explore with her husband. She enjoys outdoor activities in all of Colorado's seasons including hiking, snowboarding, and volleyball.

About Chelsea

Chelsea graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with Behavioral Science and Sociology. Following graduation, she began supporting this population as a Direct Care Provider and has become increasingly passionate about this population. She has over 5 years’ experience in managing Residential Services. Chelsea is thrilled to be part of the Stepping Stone team and looks forward to growing innovative and affordable housing opportunities for the individuals we support!

About Lauren

Lauren Apple is a recent graduate from CSU. She majored in Human Development and Family Studies with a background in Occupational Therapy. She has worked with the Developmental Disability population for the past five years. She is passionate about developing strategies and solutions that work for individuals with developmental disabilities and/or individuals that have temporary and/or permanent limitations or disabilities. She loves spending time outside hiking and being active, spending time with family and friends, and traveling when she gets the chance.

Bridget Lindem

About Bridget

Bridget left California in 2016 with only herself and her car, and is so glad she found Littleton to call home. Realizing her passion for the community of individuals with developmental disabilities, she soon started volunteering at Stepping Stone, and immediately fell in love. Outside of work, you can find her biking, camping, yoga-ing, traveling, and participating in anything related to friends and food. She cannot wait to see what kind of difference Stepping Stone can make for this spirited and hardworking population!

Gini Ziegler

About Gini

Gini just graduated with honors from the University of Denver, completing her major in Media Studies and minor in Psychology. She is happy to be working alongside the wonderful staff and participants at Stepping Stone.

Shyanne Swartwood

About Shyanne

Shyanne went to Jefferson County Open School. She enjoys playing Volleyball and Wrestling. She loves being around family and friends and is always up for going out and doing something fun! She enjoys working with the people in this community and loves getting the chance to not only teach them but to learn from them. She has a brother who also attends Stepping Stone and has a huge heart for this community.

Lynette Galisewski

About Lynette

Lynette is a counselor of 26 years, who has fallen in love with this amazing population! You are likely to find her dancing in the Food Bank to Country songs and busting out Disney tunes as the Spirit moves!

Rayanna Gossett

About Rayanna

Rayanna graduated from Johnson and Wales University with her Bachelors in Baking and Pastry with Food Service Management. Out of college she pursued her passion as a Pasty Chef. Following her dream in culinary, and love for this community, she found her way to Stepping Stone Support Center.

Tucker Riley

About Tucker

Tucker is a graduate from Boulder high school, shortly after graduating he began working for two years as a live in aid for a man with autism. He has had a passion for the special needs population from a young age. Creating and listening to music, dancing and doing outdoor activities are just a few of his passions. He is very thrilled to be able to be a part of stepping stones!

Will Giltner

About Will

Will is a Littleton local and graduated from Dakota Ridge! He has a passion for serving others and giving back to the community. In college he volunteered for various organizations, such as Adaptive Recreation Opportunities, through which he discovered that the adult DD population is where his heart lies. He is thrilled to be working at Stepping Stone with such a fun, positive group of individuals. In his free time Will likes staying active and is always seeking a new adventure. Some of his favorite things to do are skateboarding, snowboarding, hiking and anything else outside! He lives by the motto live simply, simply live.

Nicole Chase

About Nicole

Nicole moved to Colorado last year from Nebraska. In March she started volunteering with Stepping Stone on Mondays. Nicole has worked in a salon for the last 3 years, and she is excited to be using that experience to help the Product Team and to work with this community. Nicole enjoys playing kickball, spending time outdoors, traveling back to Omaha to spend time with family, and of course cheering on the Huskers!

Pam Moore

About Pam

Pam Moore is another parent to one of our participants. Pam had a background in management and marketing for 30 years before she took early retirement to work with her husband in their construction and industrial supply business. Pam also has a huge passion for assisting adults with developmental disabilities find jobs in the community. She loves camping, hanging out with friends, games and the Broncos. Pam is our DVR and Supported Employment Coordinator. Let Pam know if you have any questions about your participant finding a job.

Cameron Moore

About Cameron

Cameron is a native Texan and graduate of Sam Houston State University. During college he pursued his passion of working with individuals with special needs by getting involved with a camp program and volunteering at his church. He lives with his wife and dog in Castle Rock, Co. Cameron enjoys spending time outdoors fishing, hiking, and biking.

Shayna Hermans

About Shayna

Shayna graduated from Colorado Christian University with a BA in Special Education. Shayna views it as such an honor to learn from and work with this population! She feels the most full when she is able to see their passions and abilities come to life in the community. When not at work, you can catch her hiking mountains, playing volleyball, and enjoying coffee shops around the town.